Kickstart This Super-Slim Wireless Qi Smartphone Charger

Here at TechnoBuffalo we’re big fans of wireless charging. If you use a charging pad at home you know how convenient it can be, but what if you want to bring your extra power on the road? Enter QiPack, the self proclaimed “world’s thinnest wireless portable charger” available now on Kickstarter for as little as $45.

QiPack uses Qi inductive charging—based on the name you may have already figured that part out—which comes built into a number of recent flagship smartphones including Nexus devices, the LG G2 and some of Nokia’s best Lumia phones. For any other smartphones, QiPack offers two solutions, a special case or a coil receiver that can slide underneath the removable back panel on certain phones or simply plug in at the bottom for non-removable devices like the iPhone.

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QiPack’s design looks absolutely gorgeous, drawing inspiration from the iPhone to offer a sleek metal rectangle made from recycled aluminum and glass. It’s thin enough to slide into your back pocket at just 8.9 millimeters thick, and light enough that you shouldn’t notice the extra weight if you’re carrying it around all day. The QiPack is also fine-tuned to charge your device as fast as possible.

If you decide to back the QiPack, the company says its wireless chargers should ship as soon as later this month. For $45 you can order the QiPack without any accessories, though you’ll need a Qi-enabled smartphone to use this charger. For a little more you can buy the charger along with a coil receiver or a case for $53 or $58 respectively. You can even pay extra for a personalized QiPack with your name engraved on it. All models offer 3000mAh of charging power and a USB port for recharging.

Ordering anything off Kickstarter can be riskier than walking into a store or paying for it online from a site like Amazon. QiPack’s creators note that they have over 12 years of experience working in the import business, which should help keep prices down once the project is funded. There are a few obstacles still in the way though. QiPack still needs to pass through testing for electromagnetic compatibility, hazardous substances compliance and electronic security certification, though the prototype has already been approved. Moving to mass production also represents new challenges, though the company is working with Amazon to ensure the first units ship on time.

If these risks don’t bother you or you’re willing to take a chance for the possibility of a super-slim wireless smartphone charger head over the Kickstarter to help fund this project before it expires on May 24.